Healthy Homes Assessment Johnsonville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Johnsonville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done and offer the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Johnsonville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Johnsonville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Johnsonville, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Johnsonville rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Johnsonville rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Johnsonville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Johnsonville

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Johnsonville

Rental properties in Johnsonville require a reliable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Johnsonville

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Johnsonville

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Johnsonville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Johnsonville

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Johnsonville include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Johnsonville for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.